An Energy and Peak Loads Analysis of the Texas Department of Health Building, Final Report, Prepared for the Energy Efficiency Division, Texas Public Utility Commission

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The energy use of the Department of Health Building at Austin, Texas,
was analyzed using the DOE 2.1B building energy simulation program. An
analysis was made for the building as specified in the building plans and
the specifications provided by the State Purchasing and General Services
Commission. Operating schedules for occupancy, lighting, office equipment,
and infiltration were assumed. The proposed construction of the
Health building reflects improvements in energy use over buildings built
several years ago (EUIs of 142 Kbtu/sf/yr compared to as much as 250
Kbtu/sf/yr). However, the energy consumption of the Health building can
be reduced with certain modifications. Four options for reducing the building energy use were studies: (i)
reducing the lighting levels, (ii) reducing the ventilation rate from 20
cfm/person/hr to 10 cfm/person/hr (iii) having a variable speed fan with
the VAV system and economiser cycle and (iv) improved glass. These
options not only reduce the peak loads but also reduce the total energy
use.
Finally the energy consumption of the Health building was compared
with the energy consumption of the building modified to comply with
the California standards.A net reduction of 44% was obtained using the
California standards. The California standards are more stringent and are
a better choice for state owned buildings which have a life of 30 to 40
years.